Paleontology

Definition of Paleontology as it relates to Science, Environmental Science, Evolutionary Biology

Paleontology is the study of life that existed prior to, and sometimes including, the start of the Holocene Epoch roughly 11,700 years ago. It encompasses the examination of plant and animal fossils, including those of microscopic organisms, to determine their structure, distribution, and evolutionary history. This field is integral to understanding Earth's biological past, providing insights into ancient ecosystems and climates, and informing current research in fields such as evolutionary biology, ecology, and geology. As part of the Environmental Science hierarchy, Paleontology contributes to our understanding of how life has adapted to environmental changes over time, while within Evolutionary Biology, it offers a historical perspective on the processes that have shaped biodiversity.

Note
  • [ucmp.berkeley.edu] University of California Museum of Paleontology
  • [lakeneosho.org] Paleontology and Geology of Missouri - St Louis Missouri - Fossils
  • [dinosaursnews.com] Dinosaur News - news about dinosaurs, prehistoric and extinct animals, fossils and paleontology
  • [vertpaleo.org] Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • [midamericapaleo.org] MAPS (Mid-America Paleontology Society) Sponsor of the Annual National Fossil Exposition
  • [cmpb.net] cmpb : Centre de Minralogie et de Palontologie de Belgique - Center of Mineralogy and Paleontology of Belgium
  • [Theropoda.com] The Schachner Lab at the University of Florida | Comparative anatomy, Physiology, and Paleontology
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